A Day At The Beach With Your Dog - By: Alice Shown

Pets are a big part of many people's lives and it is becoming more and more common to see places and facilities that are 'pet-friendly'. Such is the case with Florida beaches. Many dogs enjoy spending a day at the beach. They love the sand beneath their paws, the waves lapping along the shore and the water enticing them to dive in. But before you get in your car with your furry friend and head to your favorite beach, you should determine if dogs are allowed and, if so, are they allowed to run free or is there a leash law.

It can be more difficult to find a pet-friendly beach near large coastal cities and metropolitan areas, but many of Florida's beaches now allow dogs. Some of the more popular include the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Rickenbacker Causeway Beach in Miami, Lighthouse Point Park along A1A at Ponce Inlet and the beaches of Flagler Beach.

It seems natural that a dog would be welcome on a beach but such is not always the case. It has been found that one reason for banning dogs is the disregard for leash laws that may be in effect. Problems arise when someone lets their dog off its leash and then either ignores the animal or does not have their pet trained to obey them. This can lead to the dog having a confrontation with a person or another dog. Either instance can be an unpleasant and create a potentially dangerous situation. Another reason dogs are often banned is because of dog waste left on the beach. Owners should always clean up after their pets out of respect to other beach-goers.

In order to protect the existing dog-friendly beaches, and perhaps even help to create additional sites, everyone must be a responsible owner. Here is a simple list outlining 'Beach Etiquette for Dog Owners':

* Always keep your dog leashed when there is a leash law

* Always clean up after your dog by using a poop bag or pooper scooper

* Do not let your dog visit with beach-goers or other dogs unless welcomed

* If visiting an official off-leash area, your dog needs to be well-behaved and able to obey verbal commands

* In an off-leash area, always pay attention to your dog and do not let them roam free without supervision

* Even if you have visited a pet-friendly site, occasionally check to make certain the rules and regulations have not changed.

About the Author

Pet Friendly Flagler Beach - Flagler Beach within Flagler County in northeast Florida is one of the many locations in the state that has pet-friendly beaches and lodging facilities. To learn more about what Flagler Beach has to offer dog lovers and their 'best friend' visit http://www.visitflagler.org.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Alice-Shown/77736

Additional Articles From - Home | Travel & leisure | Outdoors